Posts: 13

Topic: sugar/caffeine vs veggies

Hi. I need to give my husband some evidence that he shouldn't take chances after his R2 resection (cancer was left in, we'll need to investigate chemo/radiation)--is it a no brainer that a person in his situation shouldn't be eating sugar/drinking a lot of coffee? I'm a huge believer in the healing properties of veggies and whole foods....he just got home from hospital and this may be an uphill battle. The other strategy, of course, is just to let him do what he wants and have a good time with him. I guess I want to know that he's invested in this fight like I am. (Before his surgery he ate a pint of ice cream a night for 4 straight nights...oi!) any thoughts??thanks, all of you are a blessing!Audrey

Re: sugar/caffeine vs veggies

Dear Audrey, all I can say is that for my husband Teddy, I felt I didn't want to be strict on the food regime. The CC wasz there and I wanted him to enjoy, albiet a pint of ice cream a night is a bit too much. I am thinking why not mix some nutrition with tasting good. Like the Carnation Breakfast shakes. Blend in a banana or a small scoop of ice cream. So many of our members start loosing weight quickly and we are happy that they want to eat something, anything. So, probably blending the 2 factors will be good for both of you. Oh, another thing Teddy loved was oatmeal cookies. Best wishes and good luck.

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHINGAny suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.

Re: sugar/caffeine vs veggies

Hi Audrey,

You are probably not going to like what I have to say. This is just my opinion. I believe you should offer your husband a balanced diet and let him have the occasional cup of coffee or bowl of ice cream. I am sure he is invested in the fight as you are. I don't feel many people would be happy living on a diet of only veggies and whole foods. I know that neither myself nor anyone in my family would go for it. He needs to have a quality of life and if he likes certain foods, then I feel he should be allowed to have them in moderation. Good luck.

-Pam

My beautiful daughter, Lauren Patrice, will live on in my heart forever.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Re: sugar/caffeine vs veggies

thanks Lainy and Pamela! Points well taken!! I decided to fix palatable things for him that are healthy at the same time! I guess the crux of my issue is that I want to know he's doing everything he can to fight CC, and taking this seriously...sometimes I think he still believes he's invincible! He's very fortunate to have had an appetite this entire time, and now that the tumor is gone he doesn't feel any pains. so i think he's a little complacent. I think that might change when we have the follow up visit with Dr. Fong. in a week and a half.

Re: sugar/caffeine vs veggies

Hi Audrey, from what I have seen posted, you will LOVE Dr. Fong. I remember in the beginning I felt Teddy was being much to bravado and then I realized he was "steeling" his mind for what was to be. He insisted I be strong or he could not do it. So, I was. I NEVER let down in front of him and things actually for me, were mentally good as we were on the same page. Doesn't work for everyone but you will find in time where the 2 of you can mesh mentally and comfortably together. I am not a doctor or a pro of any kind I can just relate what worked for us. What I am trying to say is this may be your husband's way of steeling his mind. Yea, for Dr. Fong.

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHINGAny suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.

Re: sugar/caffeine vs veggies

Lainy, I think my husband is also "steeling his mind." Yes, that's it. He's a "man man" and very vert brave. The way I cope, other than praying, is to be extremely proactive. BTW Dr. Fong did my husband's surgery! WE really like him. I believe he will be very honest with my husband about the prognosis when we see him next week. I think I'm going to have to prepare my husband for that. (All he knows is that they left some cancer in and that chemo/radiation is in order.)

Re: sugar/caffeine vs veggies

Audrey, I am so happy that your husband is going through the steeling process. It is best to be realistically optimistic. One thing I don't understand is how they left cancer in. Do you mean they just could not get it all? I also was the pro active one as Teddy never went on a computer. Then I found this site which had just started and I tell you it was my Godsend. Teddy and I were the type that talked everything out so he was well aware from the beginning where he stood and what was to be. I can't wait to hear what Dr Fong says, so please keep us posted and best of everything next week.

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHINGAny suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.

Re: sugar/caffeine vs veggies

Audrey:Good luck next week with Dr. Fong. I love him. He's my surgeon, also, and I hope to hear some good news in a couple of weeks about my resection.As for nutrition: I know I should worry more about my nutrition, but I love my ice cream. And I also figure with everything I'm going thru I should be allowed to have my ice cream!I try to eat healthy, or at least healthier than I used to. I try not to microwave my food as much anymore. I don't succeed as often as I would like, but I try.And then I eat my ice cream!!

KrisJ"Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time."Any opinions I give are based on personal experiences, and are not based on medical knowledge. I strongly suggest receiving medical care and opinions.

Re: sugar/caffeine vs veggies

Audrey:After my letdown last week, I have decided it's up to me to change my diet. I have cut out chocolate (heaven forbid!) and almost all sugars because Dr. Fong said it feeds the lymph nodes. Dr. Kemeny said she doesn't believe in all that "hogwash" but if it's going to keep me alive until radiation and hopefully surgery, I'm changing! I still allow myself a tablespoon of ice cream instead of the bowl, but I have found fruits to be very satisfying. I make a smoothie with fresh strawberries, bananas, organic milk (just a tad) and ice. YUMMY and really sweet. I am not sure how bad too much fruit sugars are for you but they HAVE to be better than the granulated stuff. And the "high fructose corn syrup". It's all gone from my house. My next door neighbor loves me! She got a huge armful of frozen food...And as far as positive thinking, if I think positive that this diet will help, it will!! Right???I hope things are going well. Sorry I haven't gotten back to you but yesterday, today and tomorrow are nuts. I am in Princeton Wed. and will try to figure out when and for how long....Kris

KrisJ"Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time."Any opinions I give are based on personal experiences, and are not based on medical knowledge. I strongly suggest receiving medical care and opinions.

Re: sugar/caffeine vs veggies

Hey Kris, on the good side of ice cream! I have been getting Gelato....YUMO! Found out that ice cream with 30 grams of sugar is not as good as Gelato with 15 grams of sugar. Also look in the freezer section at the store for Italian Ice. Excellent, especially the lemon and Strawberry.

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHINGAny suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.

Re: sugar/caffeine vs veggies

oh one more thing on the "faux" ice cream topic---i freeze ripe bananas and then blend 2 them with stuff like coconut milk or strawberries (or any other fruit) in the vitamix (a very powerful blender). it's BETTER than ice cream , i swear!

Re: sugar/caffeine vs veggies

I will prefer to use vegetables. Vegetables are naturally good for our health and fitness. They keep cholesterol and fat level in control. Vegetables provide energy with less calories hence good for fitness. Caffeine in some cases may harm our muscles and cause some liver problem.

Re: sugar/caffeine vs veggies

Hi Michael and welcome to our site. We appreciate your input on nutrition and would like to know more about yourself. Are you in the nutrition or medical field and are you a patient or caretaker of someone with CC? As always we advise people on our Board to not make any changes in their nutrition or care without consulting their Doctor. Thanks for your input.

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHINGAny suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.

The information expressed is not medical advice. The discussion boards are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for the medical advice of physicians or other healthcare providers. Read the full disclaimer.